Scam gets victims to leave bank cards in mailboxes in Toronto, Mississauga and across GTA

Mississauga | Brampton | Crime | Latest News | Police |

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Published April 30, 2024 at 10:30 am

Bank card scam targets seniors in Toronto, Mississauga and GTA.

Older adults are being warned by police to be on the lookout for scammers who promise to upgrade bank cards or replace supposedly expired ones before then picking up the cards from mailboxes and draining victims’ bank accounts.

Though the warning comes from Toronto Police, would-be victims in Mississauga, Brampton and across the GTA are being alerted to the fraud police say is “targeting the elderly community.”

Fraud investigators say scammers will impersonate bank staff or employees of phone and utility companies when they contact their targets.

“They will either get the victim to agree to upgrade their current services or simply tell them their cards are expired and they will need to get new ones,” police said in a news release. “They will then obtain the victim’s banking information and tell them they will issue them new cards.”

From there, victims are told to place their bank cards into an envelope and leave them in the mailbox to be picked up and replaced by new cards.

“They will then empty all of the victim’s accounts associated to the cards or make purchases utilizing the cards,” police said.

Fraud investigators offer the following tips to avoid becoming a victim:

  • be wary of any cold calls and/or unsolicited persons claiming to upgrade services
  • banks will never ask you to place bank cards or credit cards into envelopes and leave them unattended in your mailbox
  • do not provide your banking information to anyone over the phone
  • do not be rushed into making a decision. If possible, consult with a known financial planner and/or financial institution such as your home bank
  • contact your bank or utility provider to ensure they are the ones calling, using the number you have for them and not the number provided by the caller
  • conduct a Google search for any scams or complaints associated with the company
  • contact police if you suspect you have been the victim of a fraud

Anyone with information is asked to contact their local police force or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

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